Melaka:A total of 94.75 percent, or 9,396 voters, have participated in early voting for the 16th Melaka State Election as of 4 pm today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Election Commission's (EC) real-time voter turnout dashboard indicated that 9,917 security personnel and their spouses were eligible to vote. This group includes 7,472 military personnel and their spouses, and 2,445 police personnel and their spouses, who cast their votes at 31 polling centres.

The voting process was reported to be smooth at locations such as Terendak Camp in Sungai Udang and the Melaka police contingent headquarters in Ayer Keroh, with clear weather aiding the proceedings. EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun noted that some polling centres with fewer voters closed at noon, while others closed in stages at 2 pm; the remaining centres are expected to close by 5 pm.

The EC aims for a 95 percent turnout for early voting. In this state election, 79 candidates from various political parties, coalitions, and independents are competing. The official polling day is scheduled for this Saturday.